Elk Hunting in North Dakota is managed by NDGFD, and most hunting activities occur on private lands given 93% approx. of land within the state is held under private ownership. Elk 1st reappeared in northeastern ND in the year of 1970 and have since established herds in many other areas of the state, in recent years, North Dakota Game and Fish Department had been receiving increased sighting reports and nuisance complaints within the Turtle Mountain “Bottineau and Rolette counties” & Pembina Hills “Pembina & Cavalier counties” regions of North Dakota that border.
Elk Hunting Season in North Dakota
| Season | Hunting Units | Opens | Closes |
| Bow Season | E2, E6, E1E, E1W | 09/06/2019 | 09/29/2019 |
| Regular Season | E5 | 09/06/2019 | 12/31/2019 |
| Regular Season | E3, E4 | 09/06/2019 | 12/31/2019 |
| Regular Season (1) | E6 | 10/04/2019 | 11/07/2019 |
| Regular Season | E2, E6, E1E, E1W | 10/04/2019 | 12/31/2019 |
| Regular Season (2) | E6 | 11/25/2019 | 12/31/2019 |
Elk License in North Dakota
North Dakota residents and nonresidents can apply for elk licenses. Nonresidents may participate in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation / Game Warden Museum elk license raffle. There is a minimum age for hunting elk is 14 and anyone under the age of 15 afield with firearms must be under the direct supervision of parents, legal guardian or any other adult authorized by parents or guardian. The fee for nonresidents costs $20 and they may participate in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation/Game Warden Museum elk license raffle.
You may contact the nearest game warden for raffle tickets. Nonresidents may succeed in winning the raffle license must also purchase the following:
- Nonresident Fishing, Hunting and Furbearer Certificate
- General Game and Habitat License
Where to Hunt Elk in North Dakota
Elks are a large member of the deer family with long, thin legs, thick necks, and a prominent light-colored rump patch. Elks are often found in herds, which allow them to watch for danger. Theodore Roosevelt National Park reintroduced elk to the North Dakota, Badlands on 13th March 1985. Since the reintroduction, the elk population has significantly grown due to favorable habitat, productive forage, and the absence of natural predators. Elk’s are very rare in this region, most commonly seen near Prairie Dog Towns. The best time to look for them is at dusk and dawn as they usually remain hidden in wooded areas during much of the day.
Good Gear List for Hunting in North Dakota
- Hunting License & Other Id’s
- North Dakota Guide if Non-Resident
- Camera with Batteries
- Belt.
- Gloves
- Hat or Beanie
- Pants and Underwear.
- Rain jacket.
- Vest
- Boots
- Socks
- Hunting Knife
- Spotting Scope
- Binoculars
- Backpack Rain Cover.
- Trekking poles
- Rifle or Bow
- Sleeping bag
- Cooking Stove
- Water Cooler
North Dakota Elk Hunting Legal Firearms
- Centerfire Rifles of (.25) caliber or larger are legal for elk. Centerfire rifles of (.50) caliber or larger using smokeless powder are prohibited.
- Muzzleloading Rifles or single-shot muzzleloader pistols of (.50) caliber or larger are legal.
- Rifles must have a minimum barrel length of (16) inches. Rifled slugs of 20 gauge or larger are legal for shotguns. The minimum barrel length for shotguns is (18) inches.
- Handgun Pistol, Revolver or single-shot cartridge cases under (.40) caliber must be at least (1.285) inches in length and bullets must be at least (.257) inches in diameter. Handgun cartridge cases of (.40) caliber or larger must be at least (.992) inches in length.
- Also, any handgun designed to fire a legal rifle cartridge is legal.
- Fully automatic firearms, full metal jacketed bullets which are nonexpanding, and altered projectiles are prohibited.
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